Seller increased price by $15 and sent $5 off to a watcher: ethical?

[beautifulbeauty2012]

I marked as "watched" $30 item and received $40 "offer" from a seller. He changed the price to $45 and "offered" me $5 off from the new price. I knew I wasn`t losing my mind and went to the revision history-indeed price was revised.

Do you think it is ethical? Obviously, I declined that "offer" and blocked him. Does the seller think buyers are stupid? I can see increasing by a buck or two, but $15 on $30 is just rude.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

No, there is no increase in value; it is the opposite actually. Bath soap from old stock-about 500 almost the same are listed just on ebay. Again, we are talking not when a seller increases a price for an item in demand - that is smart, but when once he sees a watcher, he alternate the price and sends an "offer" with increased price.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

same as you block a buyer-they won`t be able to contact you

[beautifulbeauty2012]

You are assuming everything wrong. 

[luckythewinner]

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@beautifulbeauty2012 wrote:

You are assuming everything wrong. 

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I didn't assume anything.

I simply offered other possible explanations for the seller's actions besides the bad intent that you assumed.

[kyndra06]

As a seller I research market trends and seasonal items all the time.  Trends and "hot items' change constantly.   Supply and Demand is very fluid and always shifting.   I may have had an item listed for some time and Ebay algorithm has pushed it down in search because it been out there so long.  I constantly research comparable items and sold listings within the last 90 days and if the sales history for the item has changed I will adjust my own pricing to remain competitive in the market.   Some items I drastically reduce the price and others I may raise it.  It all depends on what supply and demand for the item is currently.  

I sell primarily in the clothing and shoes categories, so fashion trends are constantly changing based on the seasons and the current styles as well. 

I don't feel it is unethical as I am running a business and trying to stay competitive in a saturated market.   Even Brick & Mortar stores change their pricing and sales all the time to stay current with the market.   My college degree is in Business Marketing and Management, and this is a common practice in every business from retail to the service industry.  

I do take a more "hands on" approach to my Ebay store and my business plan is always shifting.  I am not one of those that "list and forget" an item and pray it sells.  I take a lot of pride in my little store and enjoy selling on Ebay very much, but the bottom line is to make a profit.  I do work a full time job and still dedicate 3-4 hours a day to review my listings, list new items, message back customers and get shipments packaged.  My philosophy is "you get out of it, what you put into it".  anyone can list a bunch of items and get a few sales, but to make it long term you have to be flexible and adapt constantly. 

[iart]

When we do that, it's a legit markup. Fees or postage rates have gone up. Shipping supplies cost more. We often discover our items that were prices okay for a year ago that are money losers now.

And why do we send a discount offers out? Because buyers like it. We wish we didn't have to bother.

[terrycece62]

As a regular buyer I understand your concern 

as a prior seller I do not think it is unethical. the seller owns the item and is free to set the asking price lowering it and raising it as they see fit.

As the buyer you are 100% in charge you can either choose to do business with the seller or not your choice

Have a great day

[beautifulbeauty2012]

Again, are you sending "offers" with 50% UP when you see someone is watching your items? It is perfectly fine to see the competition and demand, but another thing is to send increased price "offer" by that much and assume that buyers won`t notice. Obviously, the seller in question doesn`t do research, as exact same item is selling for $12 with lower shipping. $40 + $13 shipping "offer" vs $12 + $11 shipping without offers. 

[coolections]

The thing about Ebay is sellers do not have to be ethical. So many things that sellers do that makes buyers want to leave Ebay. The main reason why there have been 1,125 changes since the inception of Ebay.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

That wasn`t a "discount" offer lol, that was a price hike by a lot!

[beautifulbeauty2012]

I am mostly seller on ebay, but do buy occasionally as well. 

[johnrj1226]

If you didn't  want the item even at the lower $30 price what is your issue?  No harm no foul.   There are  no laws that  says a seller has to wait so long to change prices.  If there was all the gas station owners would be fined - they have been know to change price several times in one day.

BTW an eBay Watcher may  or may not be have  have any intention of  buying anything at any price.  Many are like all those "window shoppers" at the local mall.

ralf Nader

[varebelrose]

When I was actively selling here, I stayed on top of pricing and "sold" items that were similar to what we had listed, and would regularly adjust our prices quite often. If something sat too long, very often raising the price would get a quick sale.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

So, if making analogy with the gas station you mention, is it ok with you if the gas station would jump the price as soon as a car approaches it (not in between or after)? That is what you are suggesting is ok to do.

[titipeo]

My wife had that happened to her a few years ago, back when price of gas was fluctuating in the $4 range for first time. Luckily she already had entered the card info and the pump was already registered at the price on the time as she placed the card. 

There are safety procedures in place that do not allow price change while your payment is processed. That's not taking into account unscrupulous sellers that take advantage of this.